"Wicked Game"
US commercial cassette single
Single by Chris Isaak
from the album Heart Shaped World
B-side"Don't Make Me Dream About You"
ReleasedJuly 14, 1989 (1989-07-14)[1]
Length4:46
LabelReprise
Songwriter(s)Chris Isaak
Producer(s)Erik Jacobsen
Chris Isaak singles chronology
"Don't Make Me Dream About You"
(1989)		 "Wicked Game"
(1989)		 "Blue Spanish Sky"
(1991)
Music video
"Wicked Game" on YouTube

"Wicked Game" is a song by American rock musician Chris Isaak, released from his third album, Heart Shaped World (1989). Released as a single in July 1989, it became a sleeper hit after being featured in the 1990 David Lynch film Wild at Heart, starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern. Lee Chesnut, an Atlanta radio station music director who loved David Lynch films, began playing the song, and it quickly became an American top-10 hit in January 1991, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, the single became a number-one hit in Belgium and reached the top 10 in several other nations.

"Wicked Game" has been covered by many other artists and been featured in numerous movies and television series and advertisements, so much so that Dazed magazine questioned whether it might be the most influential love song in modern music.[2] It has subsequently received retrospective critical acclaim, being listed in the 2010 book 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die, and noted by Dave Marsh in an updated edition of his 1989 book The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made.

Composition

The song is in B Dorian,[3] performed in what AllMusic describes as a "brooding, sorrowfully conflicted" tone.[4]

Although it is often interpreted as a ballad about unrequited love,[5][6] Isaak has said that the song was inspired by a telephone call from a woman seeking to arrange a hook-up and is about "what happens when you have a strong attraction to people that aren't necessarily good for you".[7] It was written shortly after the call.[8]

During the sessions for Isaak's third album, many different versions and arrangements of the song were made before the final version was completed. James Calvin Wilsey wrote and played the distinctive guitar lead using a Fender Stratocaster's vibrato arm;[9][10][11] both the bassline and drums were sampled from previous recordings of the song and looped.[12]

Critical reception

The Aberdeen Evening Express extolled the "haunting strains" of "Wicked Game."[13] Grant Walters of Albumism praised the song as a "pristine union of Isaak's aching vocal and the desolate wail of James Calvin Wilsey's '65 Stratocaster." He added, "Underneath, the brushed drum loop, simple bass line, and muted background vocals create a simmering atmospheric buzz."[11] Steve Huey of AllMusic described it as a "shimmering," "spare," "smoky," and "moody masterpiece."[10][14] Larry Flick from Billboard called it "[a] delicious treat."[15] Alaister Moughan from Dazed wrote, "Some songs are masterpieces, some represent moments in time, and others are simply good jams. Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" is all three."[16] Joe Rhodes from Entertainment Weekly stated that this is "perhaps the album's darkest mood piece," noting its "otherworldly" opening guitar line.[17] Pan-European magazine Music & Media described it as "[a] laid-back C&W tinged song featuring Isaak's Orbison-esque vocals."[18] Duncan Holland from Music Week felt that its "dexterity and panache is something rarely heard. The touches of Roy Orbison only make it stronger and given the right airplay, Isaak should score a significant, if unpredictable hit."[19] A reviewer from Sunday Life complimented it as "[a] brooding ballad, image-laden, and worthy of Roy Orbison in his heyday."[20]

Music videos

There are two different music videos for this song. The more well-known video was directed by Herb Ritts and shot in Hawaii at what was formerly known as Kamoamoa Beach in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. The newly formed black-sand beach was created from lava from Kilauea volcano flowing into the ocean about a mile away. The beach was covered by lava not long after the video was shot. The video features supermodel Helena Christensen rolling and frolicking on the beach with Isaak. It was mostly filmed in black and white. Christensen is topless through most of the video, although her nudity is concealed by camera angles. In the middle of the video, Christensen is seen only in her black lace bra and panty; other times, she wears only a men's white brief. The video achieved heavy rotation on MTV and MTV Europe,[21][22] winning the MTV Video Music Awards for Best Male Video and Best Cinematography. It was ranked number 13 on VH1's "100 Greatest Videos", number four on VH1's "50 Sexiest Video Moments", number 73 on Rolling Stone magazine's "The 100 Top Music Videos", number one on Rolling Stone magazine's "The 30 Sexiest Music Videos of All Time", and number one on Fuse's "40 Sexiest Videos" in 2010.

Another video was commissioned for the Wild at Heart VHS release and was directed by David Lynch.[23][24] It features scenes of Lula (Laura Dern) and Sailor (Nicolas Cage) from the film, interspersed with black-and-white footage of Isaak and his band performing the song. This video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film.

Track listings

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[61] Platinum 90,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[62] Platinum 100,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[63] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[64] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Germany July 14, 1989 7-inch vinyl Reprise [1]
United Kingdom November 12, 1990
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 London [65]

Other versions

Covers (studio releases)

HIM

"Wicked Game"
Single by HIM
from the album Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 and Razorblade Romance (UK and US releases)
ReleasedSeptember 28, 1998
GenreGothic metal
Length3:54
LabelBMG
HIM singles chronology
"Your Sweet Six Six Six"
(1998)		 "Wicked Game"
(1998)		 "Join Me in Death"
(1999)

The Finnish band HIM remade this song, first using it in their demo This Is Only the Beginning, then on their EP 666 Ways To Love: Prologue, followed by another recording of it on their first album Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666, and again on the British and American versions of their second album Razorblade Romance. The last recording they made of it then reappeared on their compilation album And Love Said No: The Greatest Hits 1997–2004. "Wicked Game" became the band's breakthrough song in their native Finland.[66] Their version appeared on an episode of Smallville.

Track listings

Parra for Cuva

"Wicked Games"
Single by Parra for Cuva featuring Anna Naklab
ReleasedOctober 14, 2013
Recorded2013
Length3:15
LabelSpinnin' Deep
Parra for Cuva singles chronology
"Luhya"
(2013)		 "Wicked Games"
(2013)		 "Sacred Feathers"
(2016)
Anna Naklab singles chronology
"Something Near"
(2013)		 "Wicked Games"
(2013)		 "Fading Nights"

In 2013, German house producer Parra for Cuva released a cover version that featured Anna Naklab. The single was re-titled as "Wicked Games" in plural. It was first released on Beatport worldwide as a digital download in August 2013, then a mainstream release as a digital download in France in October 2013 and in Germany on February 14, 2014. The song has charted in Australia, France, Belgium, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Track listing
  1. "Wicked Games" (radio edit) – 3:15
  2. "Wicked Games" (original mix) – 5:58
Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[82] Platinum 70,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[83] Gold 400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Others

ReleaseArtistDetails
1995R.E.M.From 1988 through 2011, R.E.M. rewarded members of their official fan club with exclusive Christmas singles. They released their cover of the songs on 1995 Fan Club Single Served Fresh And Hot.[84][85]
2009Peter JöbackSwedish singer Peter Jöback covered the song on his album East Side Stories; it features guest vocals from Australian singer-songwriter Sia.[86][87]
2012Gemma HayesSinger and songwriter Gemma Hayes recorded a version of the song. On February 16, 2012, Hayes revealed in an interview with Evening Echo's 'Downtown' that she recorded a cover version of "Wicked Game" for US teen drama Pretty Little Liars, the song featured throughout her 2012 tour playlist.[88] On March 1, 2012, gemmahayes.com confirmed her cover of "Wicked Game" would appear on Pretty Little Liars on March 12 and would be available to download as a single. The track was released after her fourth studio album Let It Break and before her fifth studio album release Bones+Longing.
Chart positions

Hayes' cover was released on iTunes on March 12, 2012.[89] The song performed well in the charts, peaking at number 5 in Canada, number 4 in Ireland, number 3 in France and number 1 in Sweden.[90]

2014La LeyChilean band La Ley recorded a Spanish version of this song as a single in 2014, with the title "Sin Ti" and lyrics adapted by Beto Cuevas.
2016Stone SourStone Sour included a live cover of the song on their 10th anniversary edition of Come What(ever) May in 2016.
2017In FlamesSwedish melodic death metal band In Flames recorded a version of this song as part of their extended play Down, Wicked & No Good.[91]
2017Theory of a DeadmanCanadian rock band Theory of a Deadman recorded a version of this song on their sixth studio album, Wake Up Call.
2020Céline DionCéline Dion recorded a version of this song at Electric Lady Studios, New York, which was released as a Spotify Singles exclusive track.[92]
2020Lingua IgnotaAmerican experimental musician Kristin Hayter recorded a cover of the song under her Lingua Ignota moniker. It was released as a single on August 7, 2020, and features background vocals from Daughters frontman Alexis Marshall. Additionally, her cover samples Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki's 1961 piece Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima in its instrumental.[93]
2020Boy & BearAustralian indie folk band Boy & Bear recorded a cover of this song which was released as a single on February 14, 2020[94] and was later included on their album Boy & Bear at Golden Retriever Studio. It was certified Gold by ARIA in 2023.[95]
2020Midland (band)American country music trio Midland Midland (band) performed a cover of this song on their album "Soundtrack To Summer 2020" https://www.midlandofficial.com/releases/wicked-game/#/
2023Tenacious DAmerican comedy rock duo Tenacious D performed a cover of this song during their December 2022 SiriusXM live session,[96] and later recorded a studio version. In June 2023, the band released a music video for the studio recording featuring slow-motion footage of the band frolicking on a beach.[97]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Chris Isaak – Wicked Game" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  2. ↑ Moughan, Alaister (May 2, 2017). "Is this the most influential love song in modern music?". Dazed. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  3. ↑ "'Wicked Game' sheet music". musicnotes.com. October 21, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  4. ↑ Huey, Steve. "Wicked Game – Chris Isaak". allmusic. Rovi Corp. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  5. ↑ Kim, Jae-Ha (April 21, 1991). "Chris Isaak finally wins success in wicked game". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  6. ↑ Goldstein, Patrick (February 17, 1991). "Isaak's 'Wicked Game' a Surprise Smash". L.A. Times. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Chris Isaak Shares Intimate Details of "Wicked Game" Music Video". Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Chris Isaak : Songwriter Interviews". www.songfacts.com. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  9. ↑ "The Rise and Fall of James Calvin Wilsey". Rhythms.com.au. February 16, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  10. 1 2 https://www.allmusic.com/artist/chris-isaak-mn0000775323, Wicked Game by Chris Isaak - Track Info | AllMusic, retrieved July 19, 2023 {{citation}}: |last= has generic name (help); External link in |last= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. 1 2 Walters, Grant (June 10, 2019). "Chris Isaak's 'Heart Shaped World' Turns 30: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  12. 1 2 "Classic Tracks: Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game"". Mixonline.com. May 1, 2002. Retrieved May 22, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Guitar man Chris strikes a chord". Aberdeen Evening Express. May 4, 1991. p.50.
  14. ↑ Huey, Steve. "Chris Isaak – Heart Shaped World". AllMusic. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  15. ↑ Flick, Larry (September 15, 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 95. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  16. ↑ Moughan, Alaister (May 2, 2017). "Is this the most influential love song in modern music?". Dazed. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  17. ↑ Rhodes, Joe (March 8, 1991). "Chris Isaak's on top". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. July 29, 1989. p. 13. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  19. ↑ Holland, Duncan (November 3, 1990). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 23. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Scoring Again In A Wicked Game". Sunday Life. February 3, 1991. p.24.
  21. ↑ "The Clip List" (PDF). Billboard. February 2, 1991. p. 51. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Station Reports > TV > MTV/London" (PDF). Music & Media. February 16, 1991. p. 16. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  23. ↑ Jagernauth, Kevin (July 3, 2012). "Watch: David Lynch Directed Alternate Video For Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game"".
  24. ↑ Dazed (May 2, 2017). "Is this the most influential love song in modern music?". Dazed.
  25. ↑ Wicked Game (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Chris Isaak. Reprise Records. 1990. 7-19704.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ↑ Wicked Game (US cassette single cassette notes). Chris Isaak. Reprise Records. 1990. 4-19704.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ↑ Wicked Game (European 7-inch single vinyl disc). Chris Isaak. Reprise Records. 1989. 922 847-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ↑ Wicked Game (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Chris Isaak. London Records. 1990. LON 279, 869 228-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. ↑ Wicked Game (UK cassette single sleeve). Chris Isaak. London Records. 1990. LONCS 279, 869228 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  30. ↑ Wicked Game (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Chris Isaak. London Records. 1990. LONX 279, 869 229 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  31. ↑ Wicked Game (UK CD single liner notes). Chris Isaak. London Records. 1990. LONCD 279, 869 229 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  32. ↑ Wicked Game (French CD single liner notes). Chris Isaak. Warner Bros. Records. 1991. 9362-40182-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  33. ↑ Wicked Game (French cassette single sleeve). Chris Isaak. Reprise Records. 1991. 7599-22847-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  34. ↑ "Chris Isaak – Wicked Game". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
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  37. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1482." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 11. March 16, 1991. p. 19. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  39. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
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  44. ↑ "Chris Isaak – Wicked Game". Top 40 Singles.
  45. ↑ "Chris Isaak – Wicked Game". Singles Top 100.
  46. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
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  48. ↑ "Chris Isaak Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  49. ↑ "Chris Isaak Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  50. ↑ "Chris Isaak Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  51. ↑ "Cash Box Chart Entries 1990-1996" (PDF). popmusichistory. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  52. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  53. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1991" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  54. ↑ "RPM 100 Hit Tracks of 1991". RPM. Retrieved November 23, 2017 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  55. ↑ "RPM 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1991". RPM. Retrieved April 24, 2020 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  56. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1991" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. December 21, 1991. p. 21. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  57. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1991" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  58. ↑ "Single top 100 over 1991" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  59. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1991" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  60. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1991". Archived from the original on July 7, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  61. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Chris Isaak – Wicked Game". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  62. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Chris Isaak – Wicked Game" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  63. ↑ "British single certifications – Chris Isaak – Wicked Game". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  64. ↑ "American single certifications – Chris Isaak – Wicked Game". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  65. ↑ "New Singles". Music Week. November 10, 1990. p. 45.
  66. ↑ Larkin, Colin (May 27, 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music – Colin Larkin. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857125958.
  67. ↑ "Parra For Cuva feat. Anna Naklab – Wicked Games". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  68. ↑ "Parra For Cuva feat. Anna Naklab – Wicked Games" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  69. ↑ "Parra For Cuva feat. Anna Naklab – Wicked Games" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  70. ↑ "Parra For Cuva feat. Anna Naklab – Wicked Games" (in French). Les classement single.
  71. ↑ "Parra For Cuva feat. Anna Naklab – Wicked Games" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  72. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  73. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 47, 2014". Irish Singles Chart.
  74. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 49, 2013" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  75. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Parra For Cuva feat. Anna Naklab" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  76. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  77. ↑ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  78. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  79. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2013". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  80. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2013". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  81. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2014". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  82. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2017 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  83. ↑ "British single certifications – Parra for Cuva ft Anna Naklab – Wicked Games". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  84. ↑ "1995 | R.E.M.HQ". December 25, 1995.
  85. ↑ "R.E.M. Fan Club Single Illustrated Discography". www.svs.com.
  86. ↑ ""Wicked Game" Ad Nauseam: 25 Years Of An Unlikely New Standard". Stereogum. March 2, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  87. ↑ Peter Jöback feat. Sia. "Wicked Game". Amazon Music (UK). Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  88. ↑ "Gemma Hayes wicked game Galway". YouTube. February 5, 2012. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  89. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Wicked Game – Single by Gemma Hayes". iTunes. March 10, 2012.
  90. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 11, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  91. ↑ Down Wicked No Good
  92. ↑ Dion Spotify Singles
  93. ↑ Breihan, Tom (August 7, 2020). "Lingua Ignota – "Wicked Game" (Chris Isaak Cover)". Stereogum.
  94. ↑ "Wicked Game - Single by Boy & Bear". February 14, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  95. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  96. ↑ "Tenacious D — Wicked Game (Chris Isaak Cover)". YouTube. December 4, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  97. ↑ "Wicked Game". YouTube. June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
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